Recent history would suggest that Leeds United supporters won’t exactly be relishing their trip to Crystal Palace this weekend. The Whites have struggled to find joy at Selhurst Park in recent years, failing to pick up a win on the road against the Eagles since 2006.
Admittedly, Leeds have only made the journey to south London on six occasions in the last 16 years, but it hasn’t been a happy hunting ground in that time. Fans could be forgiven for failing to recall the club’s trip to Palace last season, with Jesse Marsch’s side grinding out an utterly forgettable 0-0 draw which left them five points above the relegation zone with five games remaining.
It was a performance that saw United shut up shop and just do enough to get a much-needed point to bolster their battle against relegation, with Illan Meslier being Leeds’ best. It wasn’t pretty but it was enough on the night as Marsch attempted to lead the club away from relegation and it was certainly better than Leeds’ previous showing in Croydon.
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That one ended in a 4-1 defeat for Leeds as Roy Hodgson’s side ran amok. Patrick Bamford scored for the Whites in the first half, but they were 3-1 down by half-time and a Jordan Ayew effort in the second half compounded the Whites’ misery.
The focus after the game was on Leeds’ leaky defence, with Ayew’s strike being the 17th goal conceded during their first eight games back in the top flight. The club’s Championship trips to Palace yielded two draws and two defeats.
For most of the current crop at Elland Road, then, it seems they have a point to prove against Patrick Vieira’s outfit, who have struggled to find traction over the first few months of the campaign. Leeds are capable of picking up their first away win of the season this week and their determined frame of mind could push them towards finally tasting success at Selhurst Park.
Last time around, they travelled with pragmatism in mind. With games against Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea on their immediate schedule, United knew they couldn’t afford to leave the capital empty-handed and they set themselves up to ensure they were hard to beat.
The Whites are entitled to take the game to Palace a little more this time around and approach this one like they have their previous seven outings in the top flight. Last Sunday’s draw against Aston Villa, when they were reduced to 10 men, may not be the best example, but Leeds have played Marsch’s preferred exhilarating brand of football on a number of occasions this season.
As such, they’ll fancy their chances of opening the Eagles up with quick, incisive attacking movements, while attempting to avoid being bogged down in possession. The re-introduction of skipper Liam Cooper will give Leeds the belief required to bring a halt to their struggles at Palace, too, as they look to build on their hard-fought draw last time out.
Despite being unbeaten on home soil, Leeds have picked up just one point on the road so far this season. A result at Palace could act as a catalyst, though, as the Whites look to make the most of their remaining seven Premier League games before the World Cup break.
Leeds know all about the difficulties facing them at Selhurst Park, but they should travel with confidence and belief of being able to kick on towards the top half of the table by ending a wretched 16-year record.
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